Allday nodded gravely. 'Aye, sir, it is true that I am overtaxed!'

'Damn your impertinence!' It was useless with Allday. 'I don't know why I tolerate you!'

Allday took his sword and walked with it to the cabin bulkhead.

'I once knew a man in Bodmin, Captain.' He stood back and studied the sword critically. 'Used to hammer a block of wood with a blunt axe, he did. I asked him why he didn't use a sharper blade and finish the job properly.' Allday turned and smiled calmly. 'He said that when the wood was broken he'd have nothing to work his temper on.'

Bolitho sat down at the table. 'Thank you. I must remember to get a better axe.'

Allday grinned. 'My pleasure, Captain.' He strode out to fetch another chest.

Bolitho pulled the heavy sealed envelope towards him. With some education behind him Allday might have become almost anything. He slit open the envelope and smiled to himself. Without it he was quite bad enough.

Herrick stepped into the cabin, his hat tucked under one arm. 'You sent for me, sir?'

Bolitho was standing by the great stern windows, his body moving easily with the ship's motion. Undine had swung her stern to the change of tide, and through the thick glass Herrick could see the distant lights of Portsmouth Point, glimmering and changing shape through the droplets of rain and spray. In the pitching deckhead lanterns the cabin looked snug and inviting. The bench seat around the stern was covered with fine green leather, and Bolitho's desk and chairs stood out against the deck covering of black and white checked canvas like ripe chestnut.

'Sit down, Thomas.'

Bolitho turned slowly and looked at him. He had been back aboard for over an hour, reading and re-reading his orders to ensure he would miss nothing.

He added, 'We will weigh tomorrow afternoon. I have a warrant in my orders which entitles me to accept "volunteers" from the convict hulks in Portsmouth. I would be obliged if you would attend to that as soon after first light as is convenient..'